Tips on how to prepare for a newborn photography session from a Bend, Oregon photographer

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your newborn photography session...

1. Schedule your session in the morning. With babies being more calm in the early hours of the day, morning is best for Baby and for you.

2. Schedule your session at home. I always like shooting newborn photography in my client's home since both my client and their Baby are more comfortable in their own space. It also adds a bit of sentiment to the photos.

3. Feed your baby before the session. If you are able, sneak a feed in before your photographer arrives. This will give you more time at the beginning of the session to take a series of photos without having to break for another feed.

4. Turn on some lullabies. If you have a speaker, turn on some peaceful music. Even if this puts your baby to sleep, you will still be able to capture some really cute photos.

5. Ask your photographer for breaks. If Baby is fussy or if you find yourself feeling stressed, request a break. Any photographer should be open to this to get you reset. Your photographer will want you to feel relaxed so there's no point in forcing Baby to be in a photo if you feel you need a reset.

6. Clean up your master bedroom and your Baby's nursery. If you don't have both available, that's definitely not a problem. However, if you have both a master bedroom and a nursery-clean then up prior to your photographer's arrival. Whenever I show up onsite for a newborn session, I'll do a walk through of the house to find the best lighting. If lighting works for both rooms, it is nice to get both backdrops for different photos.

7. Do family shots at the beginning of the session. If Baby isn't your first and you want to include your kiddos in by getting a full family photo, do this at the top of your session when the kiddos are feeling fresh.

Nancy Brye Photography is a wedding, family, and newborn photographer based in Bend, Oregon.